With the government giving high priority to the welfare of children in the IDP welfare villages, special teams have been deployed to carry out urgent activities for the protection and care of displaced children.

More than 10,000 children have been screened so far and reports concerning their current status are being obtained to make necessary arrangements, said National Child Protection Authority Chairman, Jagath Wellawatta.

The special teams which include pediatricians look into IDP childrens’ health conditions and whether they have been subjected to improper use by persons, causing threats to their physical and mental health.

The mental health conditions of children are also observed by the psychiatric unit attached to the teams, he added.

The Child Protection Authority is paying special attention to the safety of orphans and children separated from their parents, to ensure that they do not go into the hands of persons unable or unsuitable to provide them proper care.

The progress of the program commenced on 01st June, is supervised by a 20 member panel from universities, National Child Protection Authority and the Department of Probation and Child Care Department.